The U.S. Cellular Smart Farm Program Keeps Farmers Connected

This is a sponsored post and I have been compensated, However, all opinions are all mine. Many people think you have to be in a big city for the best network and technology. But, smart technology is changing the way rural communities live and work. They help keep farms running more smoothly then every before. Sharpe Farms and Heartland Creamery in Newark, Mo. are using U.S. Cellular’s smart farm program to improve their cheese production. U.S. Cellular has countrywide coverage. So they can reach places no other network does so you stay connected anywhere.

They’re doing this as part of U.S. Cellular’s Smart Farm program. It helps you stay connected, even when you’re in the middle of nowhere. In small towns like Newark, Mo. With a population of only 90 people, a strong signal is crucial to their everyday life. I take for granted that I live in a larger town. I love my service with U.S. Cellular. I never have lag time or dropped service while I am on my iPad or iPhone. Every day farms across the U.S. are doing more thanks to smart technology. Things like…

Fleet Monitoring: John Deere tractors have GPS technology that uses the U.S. Cellular’s network. The farm’s team uses their iPads to access the information
and track the location of each of their tractors. This allows for remote monitoring and support of this equipment. They also give access to the controls and input/output remotely.

Irrigation And Soil Monitoring: Farmers can take soil samples of their fields by using a technology called variable rate seeding. This enables them to formulate a “prescription” based on the data of the nutrients and pH levels of the soil. They can then run this prescription by their fertilizer spreaders in the tractors. These tractors are automatically controlled to provide the correct nutrients to the right areas in each field, providing a greater crop yield. The irrigation system includes 11 pivots that are controlled remotely using an app on their smartphone or tablet. I am blown away at how this technology is helping farmers in this way.

Wearables for Goats: Radio frequency identification ankle bracelets on goats allow farmers to identify a goat in the field. With a wand device, the bracelets are scanned, making it easier for the more than 2,000 goats to be identified. The bracelets also gives them access to health information like age, milk fat percentage and vaccination records. All of this can be looked up on the farmer’s mobile device. Isn’t that brilliant?!

Real-Time Cheese Monitoring: Cheese production at the Heartland Creamery is improving with access to information about their operation. When combined, their goats will yield 7,000 pounds of milk per day. That was surprising to me! How about you? Since 2005, the creamery’s daily production capability of their fresh and aged cheese has grown to about 6,000 pounds! The staff at the creamery can access real-time information on their mobile devices. They can track the quality of the milk, temperature of the coolers and tanks. With this information, farmers are able to increase their output. And make cheese more efficiently. In the last year, the creamery has been able to reduce cheese production time by 67%.

I thought it was so cool that YouTube star and tech enthusiast, Judner Aura, spent a day in the life of a farmer at Sharpe Farms and Heartland Creamery in Newark, Mo. He wanted to showcase how smart technology and a strong cellular network like U.S. Cellular not only keeps the farm running, but increases productivity and efficiency. Be sure to stay current with U.S. Cellular and follow them on Facebook and Twitter. One reader will win one $15 Walmart Gift Card!

What a great way for farmer’s to monitor what’s going on around their farm. I have fond memories spending time with my grandfather on his farm but those were the days before cell phones so you often didn’t hear from the farm crew until everyone sat around the dinner table.

This is honestly incredible to me. I cannot believe how much technology is doing for farmers! I am so impressed with U.S. Cellular. I had no idea they were capable of doing so many things with their mobile devices.

The technology on farms is amazing. The watch their center pivots with an app, gps on their combines and tractors. The joke with our farming friends is all they need is auto pilot and they will be good lol

Yes! We have a fabulous farmer’s market. There are three huge open air building that are full and in use during the main growing seasons. Then there’s a closed sided building that is open year round. There’s also a large nursery with plants and all sorts of gardening items. In addition there’s a large and popular country style restaurant. I love that you can save money and get the freshest produce at the farmer’s market.

I’m so happy to hear there are companies out there working to make farms more technologically synced. As our world continues to evolve, it’s important to find ways to make farming easier and more efficient.

We don’t have a local farmer’s market but we do have a few farms in the area that sell their produce. One of them sets up their own stand a couple days a week and sells fruit and veggies. There is also a one that you can go to and pick your own fruits and they also have a pumpkin patch.

When I first lived in the city there was a farmer market in the nice months right outside the city hall. They closed downt he street on saturdays and I’d wander around to see what they had. Nowadays they have their own building and I do believe its year round on the weekends. My city is saskatoon sk canada

We have a local farmers market in our town every Sun. However, someone just rented a store in town is opening a farmers market year round. They are going to utilize all the local farmers products…our town is loving it.

We do not have a local farmer’s market. I live in a town with a population of 765 people. We do have one local farm that sells some stuff on the side of a road, but that’s it. I’m grateful to have them though!

We have several farmer’s markets around me. In fact, I can visit a different one each day of the week! I like that the prices are better than the grocery store and they carry local products like produce, honey, meats, and handmade items!

I’m excited because this year, our farmer’s market is extending into December! They’ve found a trendy indoor location. I haven’t gone yet, perhaps this weekend, though. I’m interested to see what sorts of winter veggies they have.

Oh we do have one here in the summer months….they have it at our city hall. All the farmers come and park…and sell their stuff. Its always so good and fresh. Although with snow on the ground now…we will have a few more weeks that they will be open…and then they will be over until spring. I always miss it so much over the winter months!

Here in Madison we have about a dozen farmer’s market! Its very locally grown friendly city. I enjoy the many varieties of goods these people offer from veggies, fruits, baked goods, to hand crafted items

Yes we do and I love that it supports our local farmers. The sweet corn from Iowa farmers markets is so delicious! Also, we’ve found products we had never heard of such as ear candles. Which personally I think are weird, but my husband loves them. Thanks for the chance to win.

We do have a large farmer’s market but we live in a fairly large metropolitan area and it is on the outskirts of town more than 30 minutes from me so I only visit about once a month. I do love buying fresh fruits and vegetables and occasionally have lunch at the restaurant there as well.

Were in the city but we do have different local farmer’s market in the different cities near us. Its so much fun to shop from the growers and buy things like honey and I even buy plants for my garden from them. I like trying the products before i buy them too.

As far as I know of we do. I just don’t have any specifics at the moment. I like broccoli and carrots the most. Because it makes for a great and creamy soup. There are hundreds of vineyards and also fresh products stands much like vendors and distributors. Thank you very much.

The main library holds a farmers market every tuesday! I love the fresh veggies and fruits. I love talking to people about their crafts. Its also a learning experience because the farmers are really helpful!